Edna Dusenberry, the charming twenty-year old daughter of Senator Dusenberry, is in love with handsome young Walter Force. John Cartwright, a corrupt politician and candidate for mayor, makes a deal with the Senator whereby he is to receive the hand of Edna in marriage.
Stella Le Vere, an ambitious but struggling actress, is abandoned by her husband and is forced to leave her baby girl, Grace, in the care of an orphan asylum. Later, the child is adopted by a well-to-do and kindly family named Thornton, who bring Grace up in ignorance of her identity.
Tim Clancy, an ex-convict, on the day of his release, returns home and is welcomed by his mother and sweetheart. He decides to turn over a new leaf. He applies and secures work at the Ganes shoe factory. Here he is recognized by a detective and when his record is made known to the management he is discharged. The inevitable follows.